Halfbreed (Zuko)

02

I walk through the Fire Nation palace as a ball of nerves. I have been called before the Fire Lord. I am wearing my best dress; beautiful red silk with gold and my hair done up with traditional Fire Nation hair ornaments. I enter the Fire Lord's throne room and I see my father already there. This room is especially hot because of the fire burning around the Fire Lord's throne. I go before the Fire Lord and bow deeply, on my knees with my forehead to the floor. "You wished to see me, my Lord?" I say while still bowing.

"Yes, I have a special mission for you, Kala. I have spoken with your father and he has spoken highly of your skills. You are the perfect person for this mission. I will be sending you to the Northern Water Tribe." My eyes widen but I do not look up. I dare not speak out of turn, after seeing what the Fire Lord did to his own son.

"What am I to do in the Northern Water Tribe, my Lord?" I ask, respectfully.

"You will go there and tell them that you had escaped a Fire Nation prison and that you wanted to return to your mother's home. Being a waterbender, your cover is flawless." Fire Lord Ozai says in a calm voice. I start to tear up, I know I'll be punished for keeping my waterbending abilities a secret. "Your father assures me that you do not know how to fight using your ability, but merely to heal. Which is why I am not punishing you, if you stay loyal to the Fire Nation."

"Yes, my Lord. The Fire Nation is superior above all and you are the great ruler." I say as I breathe a sigh of relief. I can feel Ozai's smirk on his face.

"You are to infiltrate the Northern Water Tribe and gather intel on how to bring them down. You will be reporting all your findings to a spy that has already established a relationship with many officials. Can I trust you to not let me down?" Fire Lord Ozai says calmly. It was worded as a question, but it is an order.

"Of course, my Lord. May your kingdom stretch across the 4 nations." I tell him with my eyes closed.

"Very good. Admiral Kuno, I expect great things from your daughter." The Fire Lord says.

"My daughter has my full confidence." I hear my father tell the most powerful man in the world. I smile at how much my family supports me.

"Good, you are both dismissed." The Fire Lord says. I stand up from my bow and look at my father. He puts an arm around me and leads me out of there.

"I am so proud of you, my little flame." My father tells me as he leads back to our home.

"What if I fail, Father? What if I bring shame to our family or our Nation?" I bite my lip as I tell him my worries.

"You won't, Kala. Everything I've been training you for, everything you've been working towards is here. You are ready and I know you will serve our mighty Nation well. Now, I see a friend that looks like she wants to talk to you." My father smiles and leaves. I turn around to see Azula coming over to me. I smile and meet her in her path.

"Azula! How are you?" I ask my friend. If there is one place I never want to be, it's on Azula's bad side.

Azula gives me a hug and a smile. "I heard about your mission in the Northern Water Tribe. I'll miss you but I know you will do great things for this Nation. Father says that he is sending me on a mission as well so maybe our paths will cross again."

"We always have been an unstoppable team. I think even the Avatar wouldn't be able to defeat us." I cross my arms and smirk. Azula matches my smirk and chuckles.

"I always did like your spirit." She says before being called to see her father. She waves bye before going back to the palace.

I take a deep breath. "I can do this." I whisper to myself.